Exemplified by China’s installation of its National Supervisory Commission, the rise and fall of the Chinese anti-corruption apparatus remains puzzlingly changeable, which contrasts with the calls ...for its institutionalization. For a country known for informal politics, the role played by politicians behind such a seemingly irregular evolution remains inadequately examined. This research attempts to explain the elite struggle’s influence on Chinese watchdog agencies using a factional framework. From a historical institutional perspective, this research summarizes several patterns of the Leninist party chief’s interaction with watchdog agencies in different factional structures governing the institutional evolution. The analysis finds that the agency’s power is contingent on its factional relationship with the chief, and only specific structures favor “super” watchdog agencies. This research adds to the theoretical understanding of how contingencies shape institutional development and underlines empirical facts about the vulnerability of Chinese anti-corruption institutions.
Six undescribed bisindole alkaloids, namely taberdisines A–F (1–6), were isolated from the leaves of Tabernaemontana divaricata 'Dwaft'. Among them, alkaloids 1 and 2 were the first examples of ...strychnos–iboga type alkaloid with both C–C linkage patterns. Alkaloid 3, a new type of aspidosperma–iboga with a furan-ring, as well as other three undescribed ones was disclosed. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses. Alkaloids 1 and 5 showed insecticide activity on Sf9 cell and eggs of Spodoptera frugiperda in vivo, which might explain the potential of the plants for insect resistance.
Six undescribed bisindole alkaloids, namely taberdisines A–F (1–6), were isolated from the leaves of Tabernaemontana divaricata 'Dwaft'. Among them, alkaloids 1/2 and 3-6 consisting of Iboga-Strychnos/Aspidosperma units were first isolated, respectively. Alkaloids showed insecticide activity on Spodoptera frugiperda. Display omitted
•Six undescribed bisindoles were isolated from Tabernaemontana divaricata.•Bisindoles consisting of Iboga- and Strychnos/Aspidosperma types were previously undiscovered.•Bisindoles showed insecticide activity against Spodoptera frugiperda.
A Very Low Frequency (VLF) wave detection system has been designed at Wuhan University (WHU) and recently deployed by the Polar Research Institute of China at the Chinese Great Wall station (GWS, ...62.22°S, 58.96°W) in Antarctica. With a dynamic range of ∼110 dB and timing accuracy of ∼100 ns, this detection system can provide observational data with a resolution that can facilitate space physics and space weather studies. This paper presents the first results of the wave measurements by the WHU VLF wave detection system at GWS to verify the performance of the system. With the routine operation for 3 months, the system can acquire the dynamic changes of the wave amplitudes and phases of various ground‐based VLF transmitter signals emitted in both North America and Europe. A preliminary analysis indicates that the properties of the VLF transmitter signals observed at GWS during the X‐class solar flare events are consistent with previous studies. As the HWU‐GWS path crosses the South Atlantic Anomaly region, the observations also imply a good connection in space and time between the VLF wave disturbances and the lower ionosphere variation potentially caused by magnetospheric electron precipitation during the geomagnetic storm period. It is therefore well expected that the acquisition of VLF wave data at GWS, in combination with datasets from other instruments, can be beneficial for space weather studies related to the radiation belt dynamics, terrestrial lightning discharge, whistler wave propagation, and the lower ionosphere disturbance, etc., in the polar region.
Plain Language Summary
Considering the good coverage and quiet electromagnetic environment, Antarctica is an ideal place for plasma wave measurements. Various stations have been established in Antarctica, of which Palmer station is particularly noteworthy and has historically provided valuable VLF data for atmospheric, ionospheric, and magnetospheric studies. An Extremely Low Frequency/Very Low Frequency (VLF) wave detection system has been designed by Wuhan University and recently set up at Great Wall station (GWS) in Antarctica. This device can effectively record VLF signals with frequencies of 1–50 kHz, including artificial transmitter signals and natural emissions. This paper gives the broadband spectrum of 1–50 kHz signals in the north‐south and east‐west directions recorded at GWS for the first time. VLF signatures from lightning discharges, environmental disturbances, and navy transmitters in North America and Europe can be clearly identified. The overall trend of amplitude and phase of transmitter signals is consistent with the X‐ray fluxes measured by the Geostationary Operational Environment Satellite satellite. Based on the GWS observations, it is expected to reveal some significant new phenomena reflected in VLF signals and further study the distribution and propagation characteristics of VLF waves. These are of great significance for physical research and application, especially in the unique geographical location of the South Pole.
Key Points
A high‐sensitivity Very Low Frequency (VLF) wave detection system with a dynamic range of ∼110 dB and timing accuracy of ∼100 ns has been designed
This system has been recently deployed by the Polar Research Institute of China in Antarctica and operated routinely for 3 months
The VLF wave data collected by this system can be widely used to monitor and study space weather events in the polar region
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) represents a serious reproductive and endocrine condition and is associated with high incidence rates. H19 is a compelling long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) which carries ...out a range of biological functions. However, prior to this study, little was known as to whether there was an association between lncRNA H19 and PCOS. In the current study, we used quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to determine lncRNA H19 expression levels in peripheral blood leukocytes from patients with PCOS and compared this data with that derived from normal controls. We also screened data for potential relationships between lncRNA H19 and a range of endocrine variables in PCOS. The expression of lncRNA H19 was significantly higher in cases of PCOS than in controls. Individuals exhibiting higher expression levels of lncRNA H19 were associated with a significantly higher risk of PCOS than those with lower expression levels. Moreover, lncRNA H19 expression was positively correlated with fasting plasma glucose levels; this was the case with both raw data, and after adjustment for age and BMI in the PCOS group. However, lncRNA H19 expression showed no significant correlation with total testosterone or insulin resistance in either PCOS cases or the controls. In conclusion, we demonstrate the first evidence to indicate that lncRNA H19 is associated with PCOS, suggesting that elevated lncRNA H19 levels are a risk factor for PCOS. For susceptible individuals, lncRNA H19 may represent a useful biomarker of the early stages of endocrine and metabolic disorders in PCOS.
Lipid-derived jasmonates (JAs) play a crucial role in a variety of plant development and defense mechanisms. In recent years, significant progress has been made toward understanding the JA signaling ...pathway. In this review, we discuss JA biosynthesis, as well as its core signaling pathway, termination mechanisms, and the evolutionary origin of JA signaling. JA regulates not only plant regeneration, reproductive growth, and vegetative growth but also the responses of plants to stresses, including pathogen as well as virus infection, herbivore attack, and abiotic stresses. We also focus on the JA signaling pathway, considering its crosstalk with the gibberellin (GA), auxin, and phytochrome signaling pathways for mediation of the trade-offs between growth and defense. In summary, JA signals regulate multiple outputs of plant defense and growth and act to balance growth and defense in order to adapt to complex environments.
Throat auroras have been suggested to be related to indentations on the subsolar magnetopause. However, the indentation generation process and the resulting ionospheric responses have remained ...unknown. An EISCAT Svalbard Radar experiment was designed to run with all‐sky cameras, which enabled us for the first time to observe the temporal and spatial evolution of flow reversals, Joule heating, and ion upflows associated with throat aurora. The high‐resolution data enabled us to discriminate that the flow bursts and Joule heating were concurrent and co‐located, but were always observed on the west side of the associated throat auroras, reflecting that the upward/downward field‐aligned currents associated with throat aurora are always to the east/west, respectively. These results are consistent with the geometry of Southwood (1987) flux transfer event model and provide strong evidence for throat aurora being associated with magnetopause reconnection events. The results also support a conceptual model of the throat aurora.
Key Points
An EISCAT radar experiment was designed to investigate the ionospheric characteristics of throat aurora
Mesoscale twin flow cells, Joule heating effects, and ion upflows were associated with the throat aurora
The observations support the idea that throat auroras are associated with magnetopause reconnection
The maximum adsorption capacity of methyl blue (MB) on graphene (G) is ∼1.52
g/g
G at 30
°C, which are the highest values of MB adsorption on different kinds of today's nanomaterials. The absorption ...quantity of MB on G was dependent on the initial concentration of MB, the negative Δ
G° indicated that the adsorption was a spontaneous process and higher temperature could facilitate the adsorption process. The fluorescence spectra implied that the adsorption of MB on G was a π–π stacking adsorption process.
Display omitted
► The maximum adsorption capacity of methyl blue (MB) on graphene (G) is ∼1.52
g/g
G. ► The negative Δ
G° indicated that the adsorption was a spontaneous process. ► The adsorption of MB on G was a π–π stacking adsorption process.
In order to explore the potential of graphene (G) in removal of hazardous chemicals in waste water, chemically reduced graphene oxide was employed as the adsorbent and the adsorption characteristics of graphene toward acrylonitrile (AN), p-toluenesulfonic acid (p-TA), 1-naphthalenesulfonic acid (1-NA) and methyl blue (MB) were evaluated under laboratory conditions. The results showed that the organic chemicals with larger molecule size and more benzene rings possessed a higher adsorption speed and a higher maximum adsorption capacity on G. The maximum adsorption capacities of p-TA, 1-NA and MB on G are ∼1.43
g/g
G, ∼1.46
g/g
G and ∼1.52
g/g
G at 30
°C, respectively, which are the highest values of p-TA, 1-NA or MB adsorption on different kinds of today's nanomaterials. Under the maximum adsorption capacity, the absorption quantity of MB on G was dependent on the initial concentration of MB, and higher temperature could facilitate the adsorption process. The G efficiency remains almost constant during the first five cycles of the adsorption–desorption process. In addition, the fluorescence spectra implied that the adsorption of MB on G was a π–π stacking adsorption process. In conclusion, the G could serve as a promising adsorbent for the removal of chemicals containing benzene rings in waste water.
To investigate the risk factors associated with the peripheral venous catheter-related complication and infection in children with bronchopneumonia. A total of 185 patients were divided into case ...group (n = 114) and control group (n = 71) according to the presence of catheter-related infection and complications related to indwelling needle. We performed a multivariate logistic regression analysis to explore the risk factors associated with the infection. Age was divided into 4 categories (0 < age less than or equal to 1, 1 < age less than or equal to 3, 3 < age less than or equal to 6, age > 6). The case group had a higher percentage of patients with 0 < age less than or equal to 1 than the control group (21% vs. 9.7%) and the age distribution was significant different between the two groups (P = 0.045). The case group had a longer retention time than the control group (greater than or equal to 3 days: 56% vs. 35%, P < 0.001). The results of binary logistics regression analysis revealed that the indwelling time and indwelling site were the factors that influenced the complications or bacterial infection. Among the three indwelling sites, the hand is more prone to infection and indwelling needle-related complications than the head (OR: 2.541, 95% CI 1.032 to 6.254, P = 0.042). The longer the indwelling time, the more likely the infection and indwelling needle related complications (OR: 2.646, 95% CI 1.759 to 3.979, P< 0.001). Indwelling time and indwelling site are the influencing factors of complications or bacterial infection, which should be paid more attention to prevent the catheter-related infection in children with bronchophenumonia.
As one of the most powerful natural antioxidants, astaxanthin (Ax) has begun to be applied to the field of reproductive biology. Here we used porcine oocyte as a model to explore how Ax improves the ...oocyte potential during in vitro maturation (IVM), and we also investigated the cytoprotective effects of Ax on the vitrified oocytes. Ax supplementation (final concentration of 2.5 μM) was subjected for immature oocytes during vitrification and subsequent IVM; fresh oocytes were also matured in vitro in the presence or absence of 2.5 μM Ax. Our results showed that Ax significantly increased the survival rate of vitrified oocytes, and promoted the blastocyst yield of both fresh and vitrified oocytes after parthenogenetic activation and somatic cell nuclear transfer. The oocytes treated with Ax displayed significantly lower reactive oxygen species generation and higher glutathione level. Vitrification of oocytes had no impact on caspase-3, cathepsin B and autophagic activities; Ax significantly decreased the cathepsin B activity in both fresh and vitrified oocytes. Moreover, the relative fluorescence intensity of lysosomes was significantly increased in vitrified oocytes, which was recovered by Ax treatment. The mitochondrial activity did not differ between fresh and vitrified oocytes, and was significantly enhanced in Ax-treated oocytes. Furthermore, Ax significantly restored the decreased expression of BMP15, ZAR1, POU5F1, GPX4 and LAMP2 genes in vitrified oocytes. Both fresh and vitrified oocytes treated with Ax showed significantly higher mRNA levels of GDF9, POU5F1, SOD2, NRF2 and ATG5. Taken together, this study provides new perspectives in understanding the mechanisms by which Ax improves the developmental competence of both fresh and vitrified porcine oocytes.
•Astaxanthin supplementation during IVM improves developmental competence of fresh porcine oocytes.•Astaxanthin supplementation during vitrification and IVM enhances survival and development of vitrified porcine oocytes.•Astaxanthin alleviates oxidative stress and cathepsin B activity of fresh and vitrified porcine oocytes.•Astaxanthin increases mitochondrial activity of fresh and vitrified porcine oocytes.•Astaxanthin alters gene expression related to maturation, redox and autophagy in fresh and vitrified porcine oocytes.
Synthetic lethality is emerging as an important cancer therapeutic paradigm, while the comprehensive selective treatment opportunities for various tumors have not yet been explored. We develop the ...Synthetic Lethality Knowledge Graph (SLKG), presenting the tumor therapy landscape of synthetic lethality (SL) and synthetic dosage lethality (SDL). SLKG integrates the large-scale entity of different tumors, drugs and drug targets by exploring a comprehensive set of SL and SDL pairs. The overall therapy landscape is prioritized to identify the best repurposable drug candidates and drug combinations with literature supports, in vitro pharmacologic evidence or clinical trial records. Finally, cladribine, an FDA-approved multiple sclerosis treatment drug, is selected and identified as a repurposable drug for treating melanoma with CDKN2A mutation by in vitro validation, serving as a demonstrating SLKG utility example for novel tumor therapy discovery. Collectively, SLKG forms the computational basis to uncover cancer-specific susceptibilities and therapy strategies based on the principle of synthetic lethality.
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